Home improvements. Fuse box (consumer unit) replacement
Get a new fuse box to keep your electrics working safely and in line with the latest regulations. Choose a consumer unit replacement by one of our expert engineers, and we’ll give you a free quote that includes:
- All parts and labour
- 12-month warranty
- Fully certified installation
What’s the difference between a fuse box and a consumer unit?
Fuse box
Both a fuse box and a consumer unit do the same thing - send electricity around your home and protect circuits from power surges. Older style fuse boxes contain fuses that will shut off if there is a power surge. When that happens, the fuse itself needs to be replaced.
Consumer unit
A consumer unit is the modern version of a fuse box. They have switches that trip when there’s too much current - and they only need to be reset rather than replaced. They also have residual current devices (RCDs) for improved safety.
What are the different parts of a consumer unit?
A consumer unit has three main parts:
Main switch
This gives you control of the electricity flowing into your home. If there is an emergency like an electrical fire, you can cut the electricity supply to your home with a flick of this switch.
Circuit breakers
Different parts of your home’s electrics will each have a circuit. If too many electrical items are connected to a circuit, it will be overloaded. When this happens, or if the current gets too high, the circuit breaker will shut down power to that part of your home to prevent electrical fires.
Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
These are a level up from circuit breakers – sort of like their supervisors. Homes will usually have two RCDs, each covering half, and they’ll also cut out the power if the current gets too high.
3 reasons why you may need a consumer unit
Increase electrical capacity
As we’re using more and more electrical devices and appliances, it increases the demand on the electrical system. A new consumer unit can handle a higher load, preventing overloads and potential power outages.
Improve electrical reliability
A new consumer unit can reduce the likelihood of electrical faults and provide more consistent performance. Older units may have worn-out components that are prone to failure, while new units are more robust and reliable.
Meet latest regulations
While older fuse boxes aren’t illegal to have, they can no longer be fitted as they don’t meet the latest electrical safety and asbestos regulations.
Why does my fuse box keep tripping?
If your fuse box keeps tripping, the problem could be a faulty appliance or a wiring issue. We’d recommend getting an expert electrician to come in and have look so they can diagnose the state of the wiring.
In the short term, you can try to work out where exactly the issue is and which circuit on your consumer unit or fuse box keeps tripping.
First, make a note of which circuit(s) on your consumer unit or fuse box keeps tripping. Once you know that, it might be possible to work out if there is a specific appliance on that circuit that’s causing the problem.
To do this, unplug all your appliances on that circuit at the socket and switch off anything else that’s connected. When everything is off, reset the trip device on your consumer unit or fuse box.
If the circuit stays on, switch the appliances back on, leaving a 30-second gap between each one. Check to see if the circuit trips each time. If it does, the last appliance you switched on is probably the source of the problem.
Costs relating to a new fuse box (consumer unit)
The cost of a new consumer unit depends on a few factors, including:
- The type of consumer unit being installed
- The type of fuse box being replaced
- Any additional work needed, for example to access your existing unit
- Any extra wiring needed
- Any upgrades needed
- The size of your home, which dictates the number of circuits needed
- The location of your home
What is the installation cost of a consumer unit?
When you choose British Gas for your consumer unit replacement, we’ll test all the electrical circuits in the house as part of your installation. The table on the right gives you an idea of what our consumer unit replacement prices start from.
What is the cost of a fuse box replacement?
We don’t install fuse boxes as these are now outdated and don’t meet regulations. When replacing a fuse box, we always install a consumer unit, which does the same job but in a better and safer way. The cost of fuse box replacement will depend on factors like:
- Type of fuse box you’re replacing
- Size of fuse box you’re replacing
- Any additional wiring needed
- Any upgrades required
| Consumer unit | Price from |
|---|---|
| 4-way | £578 |
| 6-way | £734 |
| 8-way | £756 |
| 10-way | £899 |
| 12-way | £974 |
| 14-way | £1,113 |
| 16-way | £1,168 |
What is the cost of rewiring a house?
Like replacing a consumer unit, the cost of rewiring a house depends on factors like its:
- Size
- Age
- Wiring complexity
You can see our basic starting prices in the table on the right, but we’ll give you a personalised quote before any works start. An expert engineer will visit you at home to work out if any extra parts or labour are needed.
| Rewires | Price from |
|---|---|
| 1 bed | £4,777 |
| 2 bed | £6,200 |
| 3 bed | £7,623 |
| 4 bed | £9,045 |
| 5 bed | £10,469 |
Meet the latest regulations with a fuse box replacement
Having an up-to-date fuse box (consumer unit) is a major part of ensuring your electrics are safe and up to standard. All of our electrical installations are fully certified, and we'll even notify your building control. We'll test all the electrical circuits in the house during the electrical installation, which will confirm the whole house is electrically safe.
Here are three good reasons to choose British Gas for your fuse box replacement:
- Protect your home and keep your family safe
- Trust our expert engineers to fit your new fuse box (consumer unit) replacement
- Ensure appliances meet the latest regulations
How to get a fuse box (consumer unit) replacement
- Book a free home appointment and one of our engineers will come and make sure that a fuse box replacement is right for you and give you a fixed price quote
- If you decide to go ahead, we’ll help you book an appointment
Already have a quote?
Other home improvements we offer
For complete peace of mind, we can help repair or upgrade your heating, hot water and electrics.